Sourcing N-butylamine from China

N-butylamine: 6% UK duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 2921 covers amine-function compounds. N-butylamine falls within the residual acyclic monoamine line 2921 19 99 90, carrying 6% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Its suspensions concern other named substances and do not cover N-butylamine. The grade descriptions in the table share this commodity line.

The UK Trade Tariff attaches export controls on dangerous chemicals and waste to this line. These are recorded as export measures. Ask your customs broker to confirm their relevance to your transaction and whether any separate import requirement applies to the exact goods from China, particularly if the consignment is recovered material or waste.

Confirm the commodity code using the substance identity, composition and supplied form. A formulated mixture needs its own classification check. See the isopropylamine guide for related products within the wider amine heading.

Specify the N-butylamine identity and batch limits

Specify N-butylamine explicitly rather than accepting an order described only as butylamine. Match the chemical identity across the quotation, safety data sheet and batch certificate. Agree assay, water content, colour and limits for other amines, with named test methods. Request batch results rather than a generic specification sheet, and agree whether virgin or recovered material is acceptable.

For Great Britain, if you plan to import one tonne a year or more, confirm with HSE whether UK REACH registration is required. Check the registration position before ordering. Chemical classification and labelling must be carried out by someone with scientific competence. Agree GB CLP labels, suitable packaging and an English safety data sheet. A safety data sheet is required when a hazardous chemical is supplied for use at work.

Agree drum material, closure compatibility, seals and batch traceability with the producer. Have the carrier review the safety data sheet and proposed packaging before shipment. Use factory verification to check who manufactures the material and issues the batch results.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 1 tonne of N-butylamine in sealed drums under 2921 19 99 90, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £6,500. Duty at 6% is £390. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £6,890, so it is £1,378. Import taxes total £1,768; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £390 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the N-butylamine name and chemical identity across drum labels, purchase documents and the batch certificate.

Batch quality: compare assay, water, colour and other-amine results with the agreed limits; arrange independent sampling where needed.

Packaging: check closures, seals, corrosion, staining and leakage on arrival; record damaged drums before moving them into stock.

Documents: match batch references and quantities, and check that labels and the safety data sheet describe the delivered material.

What goes wrong

A vague butylamine description can conceal an identity mismatch. A generic purity claim can also hide water or other amines that matter to your process. Treat an untraceable certificate or an unexplained change in test method as a reason to hold the batch for review.

Leaking closures, damaged seals and inconsistent paperwork can interrupt receipt and use. Agree acceptance criteria before dispatch, retain batch records and review any failed result with the producer. Do not claim a suspension simply because another substance under the same residual code qualifies.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.